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Whitman's Big Bat Carries Hawks to AMCC Win

HAMBURG, NY – Playing in their first home game of the 2013 season, the Hilbert College softball team did not disappoint.

They jumped out to an 8-2 opening game victory, to earn their first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) win before they give up eight unanswered runs in the night-cap to split games against La Roche College. Junior Natalie Whitman and senior Amber Grosch {in photo} finished the day with three hits each and Jaelyn Gotham took the W in the circle.

The visitors notched a run in the top of the second inning before Hilbert went on its hitting tear in the morning game. Whitman's single opened the inning but Hilbert found themselves in the hole with two quick outs. The Hawks stayed tough offensively and worked their way into a four-run inning as Grosch, Eliza Stringhamand Elissa Hall were credited with RBIs.

Hilbert was tough on defense at a time the RedHawks were knocking. Grosch turned a double play, tagging the runner before tossing the ball to first base in the 4th inning and Kateland Ball threw a runner out at the plate from center field in the 5th.

La Roche’s new pitcher in the fifth inning opened with three Hilbert walks setting up Whitman for the team’s first home run of the season, but a grand-slam home to center field for Whitman. The Hawks rode their emotions to the final pitch.

In the second game, the Hawks found themselves down 6-0 after three innings which was extended to eight at the top of the sixth to end the game.

Devan Jonathan opened the game in the circle and took the loss after tossing 2.1 innings with one strike out.

The Hawks are able to relax for the night, but they then turn around and host Penn State Behrend in a rescheduled game for Sunday at 1pm.

Hilbert College, located in suburban Hamburg, N.Y., south of Buffalo, is a private four-year college founded in 1957 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition. With nearly 1,100 students, Hilbert is a dynamic Western New York college that offers career-focused majors, including one of the top criminal justice programs in the region, and more than 50 minors and concentrations. The college’s engaging, student-centered campus community offers numerous leadership, internship, and service learning opportunities from which students launch successful careers while making positive changes in their communities. The Hilbert Blueprint promotes a well-rounded student experience over four years – starting with the Foundations Seminar in the freshman year, followed by Sophomore Service, Junior Symposium, and culminating with the Senior Capstone. Hilbert has expanded its academic offerings with the college’s first graduate programs and new Accelerated Degree Programs geared to adult learners.